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1 Timothy 5:23 "No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments."

 

OK, This is just weird! Yesterday my post was about water and wine; and a friend texted to apologize for not sending me home with enough wine after a recent visit (haha!); and I've given up wine except on weekends for Lent; and this morning another friend reminded me that our Lenten fast was suspended yesterday for the Annunciation, and I lamented that I did not have my usual evening glass of wine! So I think God might be telling me to loosen up a little bit with the wine thing! I only have another week, and I will have a reprieve this weekend, so I will see it through for Lent, but I will keep this in mind, especially since I had been wondering if maybe I should give up alcohol altogether even post-Lent. 

 

The other thing I find interesting is that Paul recommends a little wine for an upset stomach (remember, he was friends with Luke, a doctor). In my experience, the first thing any doctor or medical advice-giver tells me to do when asked about treating an upset stomach is to cut out all alcohol. Maybe, like so much else, they have it wrong. Maybe a little wine is good for us! (It would make sense, since Jesus told us to drink it!) I was prescribed omeprazole years ago to help with an acid-reflux like problem. After doing research, though, I learned that rather than suppressing acid production, as omeprazole does, we should encourage it. I started using natural supplements and flax seed tea and the problem was resolved in short order. This is still my fallback treatment when my stomach acts up.

 

I'm thinking more and more lately that it's better to use and enjoy the good things that God has given us, including wine, than to deny them to ourselves and then turn to man-made and profit driven pharmaceuticals in their place. Besides, the things God has given us are usually much more delicious and/or fun!